Hammer Man

Hammer Man
Originally uploaded by sense of movement

Race report coming soon...

Freewheels are for P*****s.JPG

Freewheels are for P*****s.JPG
Originally uploaded by sense of movement

(click the link for more photos)

Q: Why am I riding a fixed wheel?
A: Because I can!

Busselton is the flattest Ironman course in the world. I doubt many people will be using more than a fraction of their 20 gears in any case! Ok I also need to find a way to get lots of attention without having to go too fast but mainly I just wanted to know what it is like!

I'm riding a 40 : 16 (pictured) which means that the bike goes 5.6m for every pedal revolution. That means I'll pedal around 32 000 revolutions - somewhat higher than 'normal' as I'll be undergeared.
Here is the cadence range I'll be riding:

RPM             80 85 90 95 100
speed(kph)    27 29 30 32 34

Morrison was on his last legs as a rusty red racer when Stuart rescued him and gave him a nice pair of track wheels. Big thanks go to Mr Kane for lending me his bike (and also the 'ironfixi' idea). Training partner Mick helped me out with the pedals and shoes so it was really a team effort to get me to the start line! Thanks to Russel for planting the seed of the idea, to Brenda for all her encouragement and Tony for the runs. I struggle with motivation at times and knowing that so many people are encouraging me and supporting me motivated me far more that the desire to get a fast time. Sure I'd love to go back to Kona one day but that is a story for another day...

Well the santa hat is securely fastened to my helmet and Morrison is all kitted up with silver tinsel. My 'race outfits' are 

I'm as ready as I'm going to be! I've done some good training in the last 6 weeks and I'm prepared for whatever is served up to me through the race :-)

I'm number 120. You can follow my progress at www.ironmanlive.com

I'll see you on the other side of the finish line!

D

Racing Outfit

Today I registered and got my race outfit ready.


Wrisband.JPG Originally uploaded by sense of movement

Here is how it went:

Swim

Endurance Speedos $44.99 (Sports Power - Busselton)


Bike (all items from Raylene at 'King Kong' - Busselton)


Bike Gear.JPG Originally uploaded by sense of movement

Tinsel for Morrison $2.00 x 2
Santa Hat $2.50
Cable Ties $1.50

Run


Run Gear.JPG Originally uploaded by sense of movement

Afro Wig $12.95 (King Kong again - great shop!)
Sunnies $9.95 (Busselton Bags and Accesories)
Sweatband $0.00 (just don't tell Baxter!)
0.7m Silver Chain $5.70 (Mitre 10 - Busselton)


Screen Printing $132 (Juice Print - Busselton)


Total Cost $212.60


Having a good time on race day...


'fro with 'tude.JPG Originally uploaded by sense of movement

... PRICELESS!!!

Race Week

I arrived in Busselton yesterday and am staying with a fantastic couple - Max and Val. They are involved in organising rides for the local club, a local partner dance night and also have a vegetable garden and worm farm so as you can imagine we are getting on really well! Tonight we ate Dew Fish that Max had caught in Geographe Bay with Rhubarb compote for desert. Yum :-)

Here are 2 things I like about the Ironman WA course straight away:

1. The swim is a single lap with a purpose. Not that I have anything against swimming around in circles until the 3.8km have been achieved, just that I prefer a swim where you go somewhere!

On Sunday it will be a trip around the 1.8km jetty - the longest in the southern hemisphere complete with 4 iconic huts and an underwater observatory at the far end.

2. The bike course is a 3 lap course without a hint of a hill and the sweetest hot mix surface you can imagine! This was part of the inspiration for riding a fixed wheel bike! I went out for a spin earlier and the gear seems about right. In the headwind there was a decent amount to push on and in the tailwind it was just spinning out a bit.

Fixi.JPG
Originally uploaded by sense of movement

To be continued...